Elder Abuse Essay

2159 words - 9 pages

Elder Abuse has become a major issue in our country today. Statistics are showing a high rate of abuse among the elderly population, with even more cases unreported. Unfortunately, elderly people are abused in our country on a daily basis. They are abused by their friends, relatives, and caregivers, either in their homes or assisted living facilities. It is quite difficult for people to understand how elderly people are being abused without knowing the cause, effects and solutions to the issue. The purpose of this paper is to help one understand what causes elder abuse, the effects it has, and possible solutions to the issue. This way we may completely understand and prevent it from ...view middle of the document...

Elder abuse is the term that refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an elder. Fifty states have now passed some form of elder abuse prevention laws to help with this ongoing issue (Pollack, 2013). Let’s start with the different forms of elder abuse. These include physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, neglect, and self- neglect.
Physical abuse is inflicting physical pain or injury on an elder. It is also the second most common form of abuse. Some examples being: slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical means. Also, improperly restraining or drugging an elderly person is also considered a form of physical abuse. Lastly, depriving and elder of food and drink or forcing them to eat or drink is considered physical abuse as well (Eisikovits et al., 2013).
Emotional abuse occurs when assisted living staff or caregivers willfully inflict mental and psychological pain, anguish, distress or suffering towards an elder individual using verbal or nonverbal acts. Emotional abuse includes but is not limited to: verbal insults, intimidation, threatening physical violence, humiliating, harassing, insulting, isolating, giving the elder the silent treatment or treating the elder as if they were an infant or child (Eisikovits et al., 2013).
Financial exploitation is the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of an elder for someone else's benefit. Financial exploitation occurs when an individual who controls the finances for the elder exploits their position and irresponsibly or inappropriately uses money, funds, property, or assets that are intended for use by an elder. Examples of this type of abuse include but are not limited to; not paying bills on time, using stealing or misusing money or possessions for their own use, cashing elder’s checks without their approval, forging an elder’s signature, abusing their power of attorney for their personal gain and deceiving an elder into signing a will, contract, or document (Beidler, 2012).
Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual contact of any kind to the elder. Sexual elder abuse is perhaps the most worst of all acts perpetrated by assisted living staff and caregivers upon elders. Sexual abuse can also occur when sexual contact occurs with an elderly person who is unable to give their consent. This can include, but is not limited to coerced sex, coerced nudity, touching in a sexual manner, rape, sodomy, sexual assault or battery, sexual explicit photographing of the elder and lastly pornography (ncea.gov).
Neglect is the failure by those responsible to provide basic human needs. Neglect occurs when a caregiver does not provide adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine, personal safety, or other essentials needs. Examples of neglect include but are not limited to: not providing an adequate diet or ignoring a special diet,...

Other Papers Like Elder Abuse

1813 words - 8 pages
way is not an enjoyable and far from an uplifting feeling; some employees reported that they felt like they were not getting anything out of their career because the never-ending repetition (Edge, 2007). These types of feelings would most likely alter the staff's opinions of the seniors they are working with and form a dislike towards them.
Another theory held by researchers expands on elder abuse correlating with the extensive patterns of

1936 words - 8 pages
Assignment 4, Part 1: Research Project Draft Submission
Clarissa Ensley
Instructor: Timothy P. Kelly
CRJ 105: Crime & Criminal Behavior
August 25, 2013
Elder abuse is a serious problem in this country and around the world. The National Center for Victims of Crime (2008) reports: “In the United States, there are presently about 39 million individuals over the age of 65; the U.S. Census Bureau projects that more than 62 million

1085 words - 5 pages
Literature Review:
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
Elderly Care
Introduction:
Approximately 90% of people who take advantage of the elderly are their own family members. Elder abuse has a negative impact on the victimized elders worldwide. It is defined as intentional actions that cause harm or create a serious risk of harm (whether or not harm is intended) to a

2013 words - 9 pages
world; senior citizens are at a vulnerable stage in life, when they may not be able to defend themselves. Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are abused in their own homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. If you suspect that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally by a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver or being preyed upon financially. By learning the signs and symptoms of elder abuse

582 words - 3 pages
Running head: Elderly Abuse 1
Elderly Abuse: A Growing Concern
30 March 2012
Elderly Abuse 2
English Composition 101
30 March 2012
The signs of elderly abuse, at least to some degree, have always existed. Only in the past few decades, has it been recognized as a major societal problem. Greater attention to elder abuse was followed by the new “discovery” of child abuse in the 1960s

1039 words - 5 pages
these feelings into abuse. The study only examined the “feelings” of the men through the diary instead of the heightened product of the emotions that can become abuse.
Abuse does not stop at young children abuse can and often times happens to elderly individuals who cannot fight back or take care of themselves.
Elderly Abuse
Elder abuse is described as the mistreatment of older persons in both a home and institutional setting (). Although elder

1250 words - 5 pages
million, or 13% of the total population. This “Boomer Generation” effect will continue for decades. According to National Association of Elder Abuse, by 2050, people age 65 and older are expected to comprise 20% of the total U.S. population (National Association of Elder Abuse,2013). The fastest growing segment of American’s population consists of those 85 and up (Dept. of Commerce, 2008) .2In 2010, there were 5.8 million people aged 85 or older. By

2341 words - 10 pages
been ignored historically meaning that it is the most recent topic on abuse to be studied. However, experts have suggested that domestic violence to words the elderly is perhaps the most underreported crime. This is due to the reasons of fear from the family members who are caring for the individual, shame, the fear of retaliation from the party or person who is causing harm to the elder person. Some even dread being put in an institution if

1360 words - 6 pages
types of domestic abuse are; physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, wife abuse, spouse abuse, partner battering, battering, parent abuse, dating violence, rape, child abuse, and elder abuse (Gosselin, 2004).6. When is a woman at the greatest threat of being beaten or abused?During a time of separation is when women are the most vulnerable to being beaten or killed.7. Who are the most frequent

1547 words - 7 pages
save a child from the sufferings. If you are a teacher, social activist, grandparent, aunt, uncle, elder sibling, family friend or even an acquaintance; it is important to watch out for the warning signs of child abuse.
Child abuse is the worst form of treatment one can mete out to a child. The child is scarred for life, mentally, emotionally as well as physically. It can lead to irreparable damage to the young mind and body. In some cases, it

Related Essays

1624 words - 7 pages
Elder abuse is not a new phenomenon. There is evidence of its existence centuries ago. More recent is recognition of elder abuse as a health and social problem. In the United States this first surfaced in the 1950s, but it was not until the 1980s that elder abuse “came of age” as a major concern of older Americans. However, elder abuse is not confined to a single locale. Rather, it is a global problem, found in both developed and developing

772 words - 4 pages
Elder Abuse
1. What is elder abuse?
“Domestic elder abuse generally refers to any of the following types of mistreatment that are committed by someone with whom the elder has a special relationship (for example, a spouse, sibling, child, friend, or caregiver),” (Frequently asked questions, n.d.).
“Institutional abuse generally refers to any of the following types of mistreatment occurring in residential facilities (such as a nursing home

1061 words - 5 pages
Unavailable Health Care: A Nurse’s Problem
In the year 2000, it was reported that 44% of residents were abused and 95% were neglected and also witnessed someone else being neglected. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, elder abuse is common is in community settings such as nursing homes. These numbers are part of many reasons why others do not receive the proper health care that is needed. Not only is it absurd for these

1061 words - 5 pages
Dr. Benjamin Rush
During the 1700’s and 1800’s many injustices took place. Society needed reforming in many areas. Slavery and women rights were two of the social reforms that people were speaking and writing about. Slaves were view as property and women were viewed as second class citizens. Dr. Benjamin Rush was one of the most beloved physicians and social reformers during his time. Rush took the time to write about things he felt were